BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (2011)
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BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
10 CADILLAC DRIVE, SUITE 220
BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE 37027
TELEPHONE: (615) 361-7500
(800) 486-5714
FAX: (615) 367-2480
E-MAIL: ethics@tbpr.org
Website: www.tbpr.org
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
RE: CHARLES MATTHEW BATES, BPR# 20609
CONTACT: KEVIN BALKWILL
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
615-361-7500
April 28, 2011
LAWRENCE COUNTY LAWYER CENSURED
On April 27, 2011, Charles Matthew Bates, an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, received a
Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
In one case, Mr. Bates represented a client who had moved to another state. He was not diligent in
handling the representation, and failed to reasonably communicate with his client about her divorce case. Mr.
Bates failed to properly supervise his assistant, who was not relaying messages from the client to him and who
had signed pleadings without his approval. Mr. Bates entered an Agreed Order setting the case for trial and
settled the case without the approval of his client. Further, the Final Decree which Mr. Bates approved stated
that his client appeared before the Court during the final hearing. The client was actually out of state and
unaware that a hearing had occurred.
In another case, Mr. Bates represented a client in a personal injury matter. He failed to properly
supervise his assistant, who did not procure documentation from the client at the onset of the case, and who
corresponded with the client and opposing counsel without authority from Mr. Bates. He failed to reasonably
communicate with his client, which caused an unnecessary delay in the clientâs case.
By the aforementioned acts, Charles Matthew Bates has violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2
(scope of representation), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), 3.2 (expediting litigation), 3.3 (candor to the
tribunal), and 5.3 (responsibilities regarding non-lawyer assistants) and is hereby Publicly Censured for these
violations.
A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneyâs ability to
practice law.
Bates 32703c-6; 32878-6 rel.doc
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